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Q&A: Julieta Venegas Finds Inspiration in Everything!

Mexican singer Julieta Venegas just wrapped up a tour in support of her latest album, Otra Cosa (Sony), released in March, and is now awaiting the birth of her first baby. I had a chance to talk to the multi-talented Tijuana native a while ago for a profile in the June/July issue of Latina (it’s out now, so go get it!). Here’s a condensed version of our conversation:

Where do you find inspiration to write?Everything gives me inspiration: All the music that I listen to, books, films. Even just being around people. Whatever happens is a source of inspiration. I’m into writing every day and sitting down with the piano. I do it every day. And then I go to my other room and arrange and record. When I start writing the ideas start coming.

You’ve done duets with so many different artists; how do you pick those?I don’t really pick. Things happen. When I did the MTV Unplugged album, I felt like this is going to be my party, who will I invite? People that I felt I had a vibe with and we could do something fun. Things just happen.

Who do you want to collaborate with?Café Tacuba and Caetano Veloso.

Do you ever plan to sing in English?It’s not part of the plan. To me, expressing myself in full has to be in Spanish. My emotional development is in Spanish. The relationships are always in Spanish.

According to your Twitter page, you listen to a lot of music; how many hours a day? Every time I’m doing an activity. To me it’s natural. I’m always listening to music. I’m listening to it all the time. When I’m at home and I’m out.

You’re a twin—what’s your idea of individuality?Being a twin gives you a different idea of it. I think since I was a small child, I had the need to express my individuality. We both developed into different artistic realms. She’s a photographer. I knew I wanted to be a musician. We’ve defined ourselves through that.